Published 7:03 pm, Sunday, October 11, 2015

Old Saybrook and Norwich police officers responded to the motel at 1750 Boston Post Road early Saturday after receiving information that a man who was the subject of several investigations was on the premises.

Officers found Love holed up in a room, brandishing a firearm, and heard several shots from inside the room, according to a press release. Other customers were evacuated from the motel and the Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team was called in to assist.

According to police, Love ignored orders to drop the weapon and continued to point it at Tactical Team members. At least one member of the team then discharged his weapon, striking Love. First aid was rendered but Love was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives from Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime seized about 180 bundles of heroin and suspected crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia from inside Love’s motel room. Police also found a .45-caliber handgun, loaded magazines and what is described as “a large amount of U.S. currency” believed to be connected to several bank robberies that occurred in southeast Connecticut and Rhode Island. Love was a suspect in several of the robberies, the press release said.

All evidence collected at the scene was transported to Troop D in Danielson, according to police.

Based on the initial investigation, Tactical Team members who shot Love were Trooper First Class Daniel McCarthy, a 23-year State Police veteran, and Trooper First Class Carson Konow, an eight-year veteran.

The investigation remains active and the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine Love’s cause and manner of death.